July 18, 2015

My
heart dwells in the netherworld, dear ones. Much like a modern day
Persephone I wander amid infernal grandeur and haunt shadowy vistas
filled with enchanted objects and odd magics. Needless to say, I
have been a lifelong connoisseur of the fantastic and far fetched.
As the story goes my Mother started reading me fairy tales before I
even entered this rather dreary mortal realm, and to this day I revel
in stories of overgrown
cottages and crumbling castles, a goblin at every turn.

{A foreboding Medieval manor}

{A collection of Gothic Revival finery}

As
a result, fragments of fantasy literature have found their way into
our design work and decor. In fact, many of our most fabulous
patrons are indeed fictional, existing only in the figment of our
imaginations. Now, I will admit to being rather smitten with the
Witch-King Angmar since childhood, seduced by visions of his
billowing black robes and evil deeds... he is a dream client of
sorts, and would gladly drape his grim halls in all matters of
finery.

{A wrought iron chandelier worthy of a Dark Lord}

{Elegant arched windows}

When
conjuring his castle Seraph & I envision an abode adorned in
decadent darkness, befitting
of a phantom lord, long undead... Gathered here are a few of our
inspirations. Enjoy wicked and wonderful wallpapers, ominous
archways, writhing wrought iron and of course a curious dungeon,
cruel and cold...

May 23, 2015

Who among us does not
desire to dine amid the glittering grandeur of the Goblin Market?
Perhaps better yet attend a bountiful banquet at Beast's abode where
wine is poured by unseen servants and strangely sentient centerpieces
observe the revelry which will undoubtedly unfold...

{Dennis Severs' Residence}

Certain
occasions call for a feast worthy of a fair tale, whether a grand
celebration or simply a weekday made more whimsical. When conjuring
such a feteby
all means fetch the fine china that we banished to the back closet in
a previous post. Plates dressed in florid finery shall feel right at
home, while odd implements of dubious function will only add to the
enchantment. Footed platters spanning several feet are highly
impractical but quite fabulous when piled with decadent delicacies.
Starlight can be served in cut crystal goblets too fragile for daily
use, dainty decanters employed to capture dreams... For those
preferring a darker tale told while dining, might I suggest a
tablescape complete with cauldrons clad in cobwebs and candelabras
adorned in proper mourning attire?

{Coalport Porcelain Factory England c1810}

{Potted herbs are a lovely accent to any table}

{Dining in style has been depicted throughout history}

Whether frivolous and
fanciful or dangerously dark, may your celebrations be the envy of
fairy folk throughout the land! Gathered here is some dining themed
finery for you to devour. The leading image in this post is a tablescape designed by the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Factory. For more, please visit out Pinterest board
“A Feast for the Eyes.” ~Splendor

May 13, 2015

Clad
in old world elegance befitting a queen, this cushion whispers of
long dead monarchs while holding a dark secret at her heart...

{Adding the final details by by midnight & candle light}

{A luscious trove of finery}

{A bit of sinister company}

Rendered
in rich tones reminiscent of the Tudor court, this cushion is truly
regal in nature. Much inspired by a collection of materials in onyx,
apricot and burnt orange the conjuring of this cushion began. A
fragment of vintage silk velvet in a ravishing shade of russet became
the perfect background for such finery. A collage of cut velvets and
gilded galloons forms a wide panel, to each side a decadent trim
dangling pom pom tassels. At the center, a corsage style medallion
holds a darkly glittering vintage gem. If one looks closely, a
sinister skull encased in amber can be spotted, a curious detail
indeed... This memento mori is made complete with a layer of
iridescence ribbon fringe and several tattered silk shards. At the
cushion's edge, a luscious brush fringe, the finishing touch...

May 9, 2015

An
orchard once far afield (as any sensible grove should be) has
encroached upon the back hall, dear ones... Enchanted fruits now
litter the floor and branches have sprouted from our bookcases,
their leafy tendrils mingling with tassels and tapestries alike.
Furthermore, a bird has nested amid the draperies and our front
parlor is overrun with beasts. Ivy encases our curios cabinet and
the ceiling is awash in stars... Lady Luna herself looks in on us
from time to time, illuminating our abode in her pale glow...

{A Grand Gothic Revival Sun Room}

{Antique Turkish Textile}

{Wrought Iron Garden Furniture}

Curious
happenings have occurred out of doors as well.
Teapots pour tulips, topiary table lamps lounge among the shrubs. A
chaise that once slept at the foot of our bed has slithered outside
(followed soon after by a set of chairs.) The trio spend their days
basking upon the balcony, occasionally clad in velvet but most often
in the buff... (oh, my) The seasons brings to life a brass bed
frame, a briar of roses in the summer, a coverlet of crocus in early
spring. Petunia clad pillows scatter across a carpet, oriental in
origin now overrun with moss...

{A fairy tale setting styled by Rebecca Purcell}

{A Fragment of Antique Floral Wallpaper}

As
an explanation of these oddities we can only state that “Baroque
Organic” is a concept that we often incorporate in our designs as
well as our personal décor. Visions of grand roomscapes reclaimed
by nature are an endless source of inspiration, as are gardens
littered with finery and furnishings. Gathered here are a few
luscious images that blur the line between indoors and out. Enjoy!
~Splendor

May 2, 2015

Why is a raven like a writing desk? Perhaps
that cryptic query will never be entirely understood but as to the
question of a “home office” the answer is assuredly yes. Before
we begin, let us rid ourselves of THAT term entirely. A Victorian
Study sounds ever more appealing as does a roomscape deemed a Den of
Decadence...

{Renzo Mongiardino}

{Books, antique or otherwise are a must}

In
bygone days such rooms were a male's domain, the household's
patriarch spending his time plotting and plundering at will. So much
importance was placed on a gentleman's “Man Cave” that the fairer
folk were quite forgotten, set to tasks befitting their station.
While spending one's days embroidering doilies has it's appeal, I for
one have other intrigues which require my attention. Conjuring
cushions is a pressing business, dear ones, and an elegant atmosphere
is quite appreciated when planning my cushion related incursions...

{A lovely antique table lamp}

{A clutter of skulls & books}

A
proper “Lady's Lair” such as mine need not be overly feminine
filled with frills and frippery. A desk draped in an antique carpet
or curtain panel adds an air of mystery, drawers hidden amid the
folds. Quills and inkwells may dwell in the past but modern day
necessities can be spirited away in a myriad of ways. Gilded trays
and crystal goblets are a perfect perch for pens and paper, while
clips and bands are quite content nestled in an ornate jeweled case.
Wonderfully weathered cabinets are essential hiding places for
contemporary contraptions that would otherwise be an eyesore, while
shrouds keep electronic devices out of sight, out of mind... As for
lighting, silk covered lanterns and Art Nouveau table lamps are a
must, giving an infernal glow to the task at hand...

April 25, 2015

A
grandeur slightly faded, becoming ethereal and otherworldly is darkly
romantic, quite desirable in every way. Roomscapes as well as the
objects they contain improve greatly with age. The lapse of time
produces glimpses of other incarnations, the hidden secrets,
forgotten and largely unseen. Sentience slowly awakens, belongings
thought to be inanimate suddenly breathe... Trust me, dear ones, for
I know of what I speak...

{Decrepit upholstery can become a home for birds, ghosts & other spirits}

When
accumulating a collection of antiques much is made of a prim and
proper appearance. There are those that covet perfection above all
leaving many objects simply astray, cast off or otherwise orphaned.
I adore the decadently disheveled, the slightly sorrowful are always
welcome amid our walls. Forsaken furnishings have found a home with
us, content once again. Crumbling frames hold hazy vistas; mirrors'
silvery faces clouded with age. Our curio cabinets hold abandoned
oddities rescued from a certain fate. We listen closely to their
whispers and the strange tales that they tell...

{Find fragments of Gothic Revival wallpaper throughout this post}

Often
we converse with our Black Baroque Luxuries creations for they too
contain pieces of the past. Vintage jewels and elderly gems are
often incorporated, glittering darkly under the patina of time.
Tatters of tulle are reclaimed, as well as bits of old fashioned
lace. Silken shards, forlorn and frayed, add antiquated elegance
when combined with fabrics faded to a subtle shade... Perhaps you
will find conversing with cushions rather capricious but we invite
you to hear their murmurings and tell us what you hear...

About us...

Infernal
greetings & a grand welcome to BLACK BAROQUE LUXURIES! As for
introductions, we are Seraph + Splendor and we shall be your hosts...
We
are the purveyors of Black Baroque Luxuries, a collection of opulent
pillows, ethereal objects & assorted oddities as well as the
authors of the design blog Chintz of Darkness. In this new blog we
wish to share with you the process of ours creative conjurings, the
artists & designers that inspire our dark workings and of course
our strange musings on interior decorating. As old souls slightly at
odds with the modern world, this blog is dedicated to finding the
balance between the two... Your participation in
this blog
is GREATLY appreciated, dear ones, so by all means draw up a slipper
chair and make yourself at home... Enjoy! ~S+S